Finishing and Embellishment in the Twin Cities | DPS Magazine

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Finishing is an essential area of print. From cutting and creasing to high-end embellishment and everything in between, the post-press segment of the print industry deserves its own event. The Association for Print Technologies (APTech) and Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) delivered, hosting the first-ever Amplify show from June 14 to 16, 2022 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN.

The purpose of the event was to bring print finishing and embellishment technologies to the forefront. Around every corner, attendees were able to interact with brands, products, and processes representing foil and coatings, die cutting, folding and gluing, binding, and direct mail finishing.

Technology Demonstrations A variety of vendors provided live demonstrations or shared knowledge and information about their products. Many of the technology demonstrations took place in the Technology Zone, where 30 minute demonstration programs occurred each day. Additionally, attendees enjoyed access to the equipment and other demonstrations throughout the show.

Technology Zone demonstrations included the Best Graphics Chameleon Folder-Gluer; Kama Foil Stamping/Embossing Press; Kompac Phoenix 20 Sheet-Fed Coating and Priming System; Kurz DM-Uniliner; Kurz DM-Luxliner Press; Rollem Insignia 6H Sheetfed Rotary Diecutter; Sakurai MS-102AX Cylinder Screen Press with LQM-105 Hot Foil Stamper, Dryer, and Stacker; Skandacor PODTopic 380F Single-Side Laminator with Flying Knife; and the Therm-O-Type NSF Excel Mk II foil stamping press. Additional exhibitors included American International Machinery, AMP, APS Imaging Solutions, Baldwin AMS Spectral UV, Baumer hhs; Bobst, B&R Moll, Breit Technologies, Canon Solutions America, Captial Adhesives, Channeled Resources, Colter and Peterson/Microcut, Converting Solutions Group, Duplo, Eagle Systems, EO Johnson – Standard Finishing; Eukalin, E.C. Shutlz, GEW Limited, Gietz-Vinfoil Americas, Graphco, Harris & Bruno, Hazen Paper Company, Heidelberg, H+M USA, Hohner Stitching Products, IMPACK, Infinity Foils, ITW ShineMark, Impact Power Solutions, K Laser Technology Inc., Kelly Splicers, Kompac, Konica Minolta, Kodak, LasX, Liberty Foil, Marbach Americas, Metal Magic, MFT Automation, Neenah, Nobelus, OR PRINTER USA, Parkland Direct, Peleman Industries, PPCTS, Prime UV-IR, Printers 401k, Rohn Industries, Rollem International, Scodix, Spiral Binding, St. Cloud Engraving, Studio on Fire, Sugar Print, Straub Design, Taktiful, Ultimate TechnoGraphics, Univacco, Universal Engraving, Victor Envelope Company, VITS International, W+D North America, W.H. Leary Company, and Xerox.

Learning Opportunities In addition to the exhibit floor, one of Amplify’s prime purposes is education. The show featured many educational sessions throughout the three-day event.

In fact, it even kicked it off a day early for a Sustainability Summit. Recyclability and sustainability represents a top area of concern for brand owners today. The Summit went over recyclability issues related to embellishments in packaging in a three-hour program.

Throughout the duration of the event, many areas of print finishing were addressed in deep-dive educational seminars, including direct mail, workflow improvements for high-volume carton finishing, PDF best practices for finishing and embellishment, top embellishment trends, multi-generational marketing, growing applications for metallic decorating, modern and efficient binding, latest technologies for book binding, cannabis packaging growth and opportunity, and maximizing the advantages of UV LED technology.

The event also included a digital embellishment workshop, an intensive three-and-a-half-hour workshop dedicated to designing and creating accurate files for digital embellishments for print.

Visitors were also encouraged to visit the Mailing Pavilion, where the Envelope Manufacturers Association was on site, along with leaders in the envelope technology and supply segments.

The Amplify team wanted to add mailing to the spotlight because envelopes are a hot topic in the mailing supply chain based on availability, quality, and finishing capabilities.

Get Amped The opportunities for print finishing and embellishment are countless, as showcased by the first-ever Amplify trade event hosted by APTech and FSEA.

Attendees were engaged and excited to learn how print finishing technologies could improve processes and add value to product offerings. Many were pleased with the event’s specific focus. We look forward to see what is on the horizon from this collaboration.